Heathrow tells Government to ‘bring pace to the policies’ for aviation recovery

The Government must “bring pace to the policies” after publishing a long-awaited strategy to support the recovery of aviation from the coronavirus pandemic, according to Heathrow Airport. A 10-point plan named Flightpath To The Future has been released by the Department for Transport, focusing on growth, sustainability and protecting passengers.

It commits to “position the UK as a global aviation leader” and put the sector “on course to achieve Jet Zero”, which refers to the project to reach net zero for carbon emissions by 2050. A new aviation council will be created to deliver the aims.

It will be made up of representatives from airlines, airports and elsewhere in the sector, as well as ministers and officials from the UK Government and devolved administrations. A Heathrow spokeswoman said it is “vital” that the UK’s aviation sector is rebuilt “on a sustainable trajectory”.

She went on: “The necessary changes that will decarbonise and futureproof the benefits of flying can only be achieved when we all work together. We look forward to this opportunity through the new aviation council.

“Flightpath To The Future is the first step. Now we need government to bring pace to the policies that will allow the sector to fulfil the ambitions they are setting out today. Failure to do this will only see this plan grounded.”

Tim Alderslade, chief executive of trade body Airlines UK, said: “There can be no ‘Global Britain’ without the air connectivity that UK airlines deliver. We look forward to a laser-like focus from government on the levers it can pull to make the UK a truly competitive, global aviation hub.”

Passenger numbers at UK airports last year were 78% below pre-pandemic levels, as the country lagged behind European rivals due to tougher coronavirus restrictions. A recent report by trade body the Airports Operators Association (AOA) stated that UK airports have lost £10 billion in revenue since the first lockdown in March 2020 and have taken on more than £4 billion in debt.

Aviation minister Robert Courts said: “The pandemic posed an existential threat to the aviation sector. Now recovery has started, we have a chance to build back better than ever before.”

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